England vs South Africa ODI Series - Rare chance for the Poms to take revenge - Part 1 - Opinion
England’s thrashing in the Investec Series of 2012 by South Africa, brings into perspective a plethora of issues that Strauss’s side has been grappling with in recent times. Complacency, a lack of intent, and a poor display on the field, compounded with
off field issues, have hurt an English side which was at one time invincible to say the least. When the series was sealed it seemed as if the Pietersen saga, South Africa’s ruthlessness and subsequent follies which were committed on the field, had gotten the
better out of a side that had two consecutive Ashes victories to its name. It is a noted fact that in colored clothing, England has had plenty to feel optimistic about, and there is a strong possibility that the script of winning and putting in dazzling performances
could remain intact for Alastair Cook’s men.
England have been playing phenomenal ODI cricket of late, where their potent bowling attack, batting prowess and exceptional fielding skills, have earned them series victories against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 (in the Emirates) and a strong Australian side
at home. The resurgence since the disastrous 2011 Cricket World Cup, has transformed an ordinary outfit into a formidable team in a format that they had traditionally shunned away. Cook’s men tend to exhibit a strange sense of purpose on the field, having
faced an array of different oppositions which fancied their chances over them. England has defied the odds on numerous occasions and is currently ranked first in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 ODI rankings. With a tally of 121 points, they are tied with South Africa, which is a
team that they have enjoyed plenty of success against in recent times.
It is difficult to recall a series that England had lost after a disastrous World Cup campaign in 2011, barring their 5-0 bashing against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c749 has performed consistently and is currently
counted amongst the best ODI teams in the world. This in itself is overwhelming for any bereaved English fan, who has witnessed his team being dethroned in white clothing.
Losing the Test match crown should in truth act as a catalyst for this proud sporting nation to outperform in the ODI series against South Africa. The ODI crown is also in a state of jeopardy, as both sides are at loggerheads. Their opponents have played
some impressive ODI cricket over the last few years, yet despite being impressively consistent, South Africa have been beatable on a number of occasions by quite a few teams. The series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 for example, at home in 2011, was a prime example of
how the Proteas succumbed to outlandish pressure in the final game at Durban, and choked when it really mattered. Similarly, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758’s tour of South Africa in 2012 exposed the loopholes in South Africa’s one dimensional approach, as death bowlers leaked
runs at a hemorrhaging rate. In the two games that Sri Lanka won at Kimberly and Johannesburg, South Africa looked less than ordinary, as mammoth totals posted by the batsmen could not be defended by their potent bowling attack. In addition, history has shown
that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 can be rattled if an early assault is unleashed at them, which dates back to their monotonous approach towards the game.
Continued in Part 2...
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